Discuss peak performance, including the characteristics that usually accompany it and what causes it to go away, and describe three techniques that can help athletes to mentally improve their performances
What will be an ideal response?
Answer will include that during peak performance, physical, mental, and emotional states are harmonious and optimal. Many athletes report episodes during which they felt almost as if they were in a trance. The experience has also been called "flow" because the athlete becomes one with his or her performance and flows with it. At such times, athletes experience intense concentration, detachment, a lack of fatigue and pain, a subjective slowing of time, and feelings of unusual power and control. It is at just such times that "personal bests" tend to occur. A curious aspect of flow is that it cannot be forced to happen. In fact, if a person stops to think about it, the flow state goes away. Psychologists are now seeking to identify conditions that facilitate peak performance and the unusual mental state that usually accompanies it. Techniques for helping athletes reach these peak levels include making sure that the athlete's arousal level is appropriate for the task. One way of controlling arousal is to go through a fixed routine before each game or event. Athletes can also learn to use imagery and relaxation techniques to adjust their degree of arousal. Imaging techniques can be used to focus attention on the athlete's tasks and to mentally rehearse it beforehand. During events, athletes can use cognitive-behavior strategies to guide their efforts in a supportive, positive way. Instead of berating themselves for being behind in a match, they can use the time between points to savor a good shot or put an error out of mind. Finally, athletes can learn to use more self-regulation strategies, in which they evaluate their performance and make adjustments to keep it at optimum levels.
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